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UAE: OFWs face tough remittance choices to Philippines

Would you support withholding remittances for a week to protest Duterte's detention?

4 MIN READ

Would you withhold a week’s worth of remittances to stand in solidarity with Duterte?

Photo Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

Dubai: The "Zero-Remittance Week" campaign, backing former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has gained significant attention amid ongoing discussions about his detention in The Hague. Running from March 28 to April 4, 2025, the campaign calls on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to withhold remittances for a week, demanding Duterte’s return to the Philippines.

While the initiative has stirred division among Filipinos abroad—some cannot afford to participate due to financial obligations—its impact is undeniable. The campaign has evolved into a powerful show of solidarity, as pro-Duterte supporters rally around the former president in a way that mixes political protest with deep personal sacrifice. For many OFWs, withholding remittances feels like both an act of resistance and a call for justice, underscoring the immense influence that these workers have on the Philippine economy and the emotional bonds they share with their homeland.

Economic significance of remittances

Angielyn Castro, a Key Account Manager in Dubai Marina, sees the campaign as a small but meaningful gesture of solidarity with Duterte. "It’s not clear how much impact it will have on the government," she says, but acknowledges that the initiative highlights a vital issue—how much the Philippine economy depends on the money sent home by OFWs. While one week of withheld remittances may not significantly affect the economy, it serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that remittances play for families back home.

In Castro’s view, the "Zero-Remittance Week" is more than a political protest. It’s a symbolic act, calling attention to the unity and strength of Filipinos worldwide who, despite facing political challenges, continue to support Duterte. "We should not allow political challenges to undermine the unity that keeps us strong," she emphasizes.

Public sentiment and family impacts

The campaign also reflects the emotional and financial strains that OFWs and their families experience. Many families back home are heavily reliant on remittances for daily survival, education, and health needs. Castro admits that withholding money for a week would have a temporary impact on her own family. “It may affect them for a short time, but this is a small gesture to support someone who has helped many Filipinos worldwide,” she explains.

Struggling families in the Philippines

Jong Acena, a Filipino cyber security expert in Dubai, highlights the vulnerability of Filipino families who rely on remittances. “A lot of Pinoys depend on remittances, and any disruption to that will severely impact their lives,” he says. "Remittances are their lifeblood, and they can’t afford to get that disrupted." For families like his, even a short-term interruption could lead to financial hardship.

What needs to change?

In light of the protest, Acena suggests that the Philippine government must focus on creating more jobs locally to reduce the country’s dependence on remittances. "Diversify the economy and provide more opportunities at home so Filipinos won’t have to go overseas to work," he argues. While this might seem like a long-term solution, it could provide families with more stability and lessen their reliance on remittances as a financial lifeline.

At the same time, Acena acknowledges the primary concern behind the "Zero-Remittance Week" campaign—the call for Duterte's return to the Philippines. He believes that the government's focus should remain on addressing Duterte’s legal situation, but without causing any harm to OFWs or their families. "This initiative should not come in the way of OFWs sending money to their loved ones,” Acena concludes.

A necessary sacrifice

For Jerry B, an OFW based in Dubai, the short-term hardship is seen as a necessary sacrifice to send a clear message to the government. “This does not mean much to our families,” Jerry explains. “This is simply to relay a strong message that the Philippine economy will be significantly damaged if the government continues down this path. The temporary loss of remittances is a wake-up call to government leaders, urging them to consider the broader struggles of OFWs and their families. As solid supporters of Duterte, we are willing to make this sacrifice for our families back home. It’s about ensuring our voices are heard and pushing for Duterte’s return.”

Opinions online

In a recent surge of online conversations, readers have been expressing strong opinions in support of the "zero-remittance week" campaign, which aims to send a powerful message about the role of OFWs and their impact on the country. Many are backing the call for the return of President Duterte to the Philippines from The Hague, and their comments reflect the depth of their conviction. However, not everyone is on board with the initiative. Some argue that suspending remittances, even for a week, could cause unnecessary hardship for their families back home.

May Porio dela Pena shares her perspective: "While I understand that different people may have varying opinions on this matter, I personally do not agree with the notion that our families will suffer from the one-week zero remittance to the Philippines. I support the zero-remittance scheme, as I believe it's an important action to highlight the significant impact of OFWs and bring attention to the challenges they face. The one-week zero-remittance may result in a temporary loss, but ultimately, it reflects a larger issue, and I feel that the true loss here is on the Philippine government, which could lose billions of pesos in potential revenue.

Alexander Cadag, however, challenges this view. He suggests that while the government may experience a temporary dip in remittances, the subsequent surge of funds in the following weeks will likely offset any initial loss. He said: “If you will think carefully. One week you will not send and loss billions, as you said. Then the next week those who participated in zero-remittance week will start to send, then the government will gain billions as well.”

Meanwhile, Myzel Matias points to the media coverage and government response as evidence that the protest is having a noticeable impact. She said: “The news coverage and the Philippines government’s response to zero-remittance week shows the initiative's impact. Although full zero-remittance might be unrealistic, our protest has clearly been noticed.”

The "zero-remittance week" campaign may seem brief, but its impact is far-reaching. It highlights the vital role OFWs play in the Philippine economy and sparks a much-needed conversation about the struggles of families who depend on remittances. This movement underscores the tension between political activism and financial dependence, showing the difficult choice many overseas workers face—standing up for national issues while ensuring their loved ones are supported. The question remains: Would you withhold a week’s worth of remittances to stand in solidarity with Duterte?

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